You Go Girl!

Go Figure!

Last time I went somewhere, I spent a combined total of four hours on a plane and eight hours in the car.  During the travel time, I completed these two doodles.

On the China trip, we flew out of Vancouver, Canada.  My Montana town does have a small international airport. I think it must have been a lot more economical to fly out of Vancouver because nobody in their right mind would choose to endure an extra customs stop and a L O N G bus trip on the heels of a marathon plane ride! The combined travel time total was 23 hours on the plane and twenty hours on a bus. I only managed to complete one doodle, even though I had way more time.  Go figure! (This picture is a bit wonky, but close enough!)

I'm not sure what I will do with these.  Any suggestions?

Toodles,

Cassie

Amazing

I am now home from a trip of a lifetime.  As guests of the Chinese government, we were shown the best of China in a whirlwind tour that took us from Beijing, to Guillin, to Shanghai, and a couple of small towns in between.  We walked The Great Wall, visited The Forbidden City, bicycled through the countryside, cruised the Li River,  toured a silk factory, shopped Chinese markets, ate exotic foods...I could go on and on. The girls danced two big performances and participated in a few cultural exchanges with Chinese dance students.  (A third performance was canceled because the nation was in mourning for the victims of the earthquake.) I won't bog down my blog with details of the trip. Instead, I will let my pictures do the talking.  You know the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words..."

The trip exceeded my expectations. I marvel at the creativity of God every time I visit a new place.  There are so many unique and beautiful things to see in our world.  It is still good to be home, though.  I missed Mr. Handsome and the girls, for sure. I also missed seeing blue sky, brushing my teeth with tap water, and inhaling a fresh breath of air.  China is so beautiful but struggling mightily with pollution.  I hope they will recover their fresh air someday.

On a different note, thank you for the lovely comments you left while I was away.   I don't know when, or if, I will find time to respond to all of them.  I read each one with a smile, though. Thanks, again.

Glad to be home,

Cassie

PS--  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  Tinkerbell can't get enough of me.  I guess all is forgiven.  Whew!

Coming Home

Today I am on my way home.  Coming home is always good.  Two weeks is a long time to be away from Mr. Handsome and my little triplet friends! 

When I left, these little Forget-Me-Not flowers were blooming in my flower bed. 

I'm sure all the spring flowers are displaying their beauty right now. Lilacs, Flowering Crab Apples, Peonies... I can't wait to see the riot of color and to plant my window boxes.

I'm also anxious to finish this.  Libbie used her Christmas gift certificate on a sock dog instead of a bag. She wanted me to get it done before I left for China.  Try as I might, I didn't have time to complete it. It will be the first creative endeaver on my agenda when I get home.  All this little dog needs are some arms, a tail, and some clothes.  I wonder how long it will take me to get my life back in order so that I can have some sewing time.  Not long, I hope.

I'm looking forward to catching up on my comments and checking in on your blogs.  I've missed you!

XOXO,

Cassie

Pretty Kitty

My fluffy, long-haired, calico, kitty is now an exotic, sleek, velvety, lioness, princess, cat.  That's what we're telling her anyway.  The white hair puffs on my dark olive colored carpet finally got to me.  So did the occassional hair ball that she would cough up...Ewww!  I didn't want anyone here at home to have to deal with such yuckies while I was in China.  Before I left, I took her in for a hair cut. Here is the result.

At first, I though she looked comical.  Now I kinda like it.  I think she looks very avante-garde.  She feels just like velvet.  I'm sure that some ancient Egyptian culture would worship her as queen of the universe. To us, she is still just our calico cat, Tinkerbell, who is loved a whole bunch.  Go kitty!

It should be noted that kitty is not real impressed with her new 'do'.  She fakes a shiver every time I look at her.  Since her makeover, she has not slept on the end of my bed at night,  like she usually does, nor has she graced me with her presence in my sewing room.   Maybe my absence will soften up  her heart?   

For a Sweet Baby Girl

There is a baby shower for a lovely young mother at my church today.  I will be sorry to miss it.  The mother-to-be is Julie. She is looking cute as a bug's ear.  You know the look... young, beautiful, and sporting that adorable baby bump. This is a first child.  It's going to be a girl.  Hurray!! I have a thing for girls. (Don't get me wrong.  I like boys, too!)

I'm loving turquoise and red together right now.  I decided they would be good colors to welcome a new baby girl into this world.  I found the onesie on sale at Old Navy.  Could the color be any better for the project?  What are the chances of finding a red polka-dot onesie?  Some things are meant to be.

   

This is a simple blanket to make.  One layer of flannel with a quick applique in the corner and a half-inch binding.  Yes, I do seem to be addicted to binding.  What's the saying?  Use it or lose it?  I don't want to lose this skill so I am practicing alot.

Wishing you happy binding today and every day,

Cassie

Qing Bangmang, Wo Buhui Jiang Hanyu! (Help, I Can't Speak Chinese!)

Nihao (Hello). Today I am going to China.  Really and truly.  I'm not even joking! 

My daughters' dance company, Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre (RMBT), was invited to participate in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic's Arts Festival as goodwill ambassodors for the United States.  For nearly two years, we have been planning, rehearsing, and funding raising, and rehearsing, and fund raising, and rehearsing, and fund raising.  Did I mention rehearsing and fund raising?  I can't believe the day to go is finally upon us.

It is my understanding that the Olympic Arts Festival "opens" the Olympic season.  It should be very exciting.  The girls will be performing at diplomatic functions, sight seeing, and soaking in Chinese culture through dance exchanges and other events.  We begin our two-week journey in Beijing, travel to Guilin, and then on to Shanghai.  (You can read more about it here, if you want.) My two older girls were invited to go.  I was asked to go as a chaperone. I am giddy and nervous all at the same time. I have never traveled over seas before.  I have never been away from Mr. Handsome and the triplets for more than a few days.  And last, but not least, I have never eaten donkey tail or seahorse on a stick!

Here is a peek at the front of the T-shirts we will be wearing to the Great Wall, Tian'an Men Square, and the Forbidden City.

I have a few posts ready to publish while I am away.  I'm not sure if I will have internet access.  If I don't respond to a comment in a timely manner, you will know why. 

If you think of it, pray for our health and safety.  I hope we can represent this great nation of ours in a way that makes you proud to be an American.  I will tell you all about it when we get home.

Bao Zhong (Take care),

Cassie

Since I wrote this post, central China has been rocked by an earthquake. Our agenda seems very small in light of the enormity of the quake.  When the details of the earthquake were first surfacing on news channels across our nation, I no longer wanted to go.  But I have changed my mind.  Maybe RMBT can bring some measure of joy to a nation that is recovering from a such a devastating loss.  Sometimes little things can mean a lot. 

Mother's Day

Mother's Day...quite possibly my favorite day of the year.  Not only because Mr. Handsome and the girls always make me feel special and loved, but because I LOVE my mom.  Among my many blessings, I count her to be one of the best. 

This is my mom. Through the years she has shown me how to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, how to find joy in everyday activities, and how to seek a quiet moment.  It is good to be still.  Best of all, I learned the art of mothering from my mom.  She does it well.  What an incredible treasure she is.

I knew exactly what I was giving my mom for Mother's Day this year .  When I visited her in Yuma, she was wearing one of my dad's old shirts for an apron.  It was endearing, but I made a mental note to stitch an apron for her.  I, of course, waited until the last minute, but I got it done.  No I.O.U.'s this time!

I also picked up Jennifer Chiaverini's new book, The Winding Ways Quilt,  for her.  I love the Elm Creek Quilts series.  It was my mom who told me I would love them.  She was right! Mom always knows best.  I'm betting my mom will pass this book to me when she is finished.  I can't wait.

XOXO,

Cassie

P.S. I am happy to report that I received a new watch for Mother's Day.  In the picture, I am sporting Becca's watch.  My watch broke some time ago (maybe, four months ago??).  I've been borrowing this one since then.  It's quite stylish.  It has a learn-to-tell-time face, a little power flower on the second hand, and a flowered, elastic band.  I told Kevin it was a perfectly fine watch.  He said something like, "Well, ya, if you're eight."  I must confess that Becca quit wearing it because she is too "big" for it. But hey, it worked.  I kinda liked it. 

I.O.U. and U. and U. and U....

I don't think I will qualify for the mother-of-the-year award this year.  Dang!  At Christmas time, I was so busy sewing for other people, who ordered totes and purses, that my own girls (and sisters) received an I.O.U. in the form of a gift certificate.  I wasn't proud of the gift certificate. I'm even more embarassed to report that even though it is May, I have only made good on one (this purse was for my younger sister) of my I.O.U.'s until today.  To make matters worse, I made a purse for my middle daughter, Paige, and then sold it out from underneath her nose.  (Gasp!) Is that rude or what?  Now you know my shame.You also know why Libbie was a bit concerned when I didn't have her pencil roll done at birthday time.  My track record isn't so good.  I'm so glad the girls love me anyway!

Here is my most recent attempt to live up to my promises.  This is the purse Emily requested. 

She picked out the style, fabric, and button.  I think she has a pretty good eye.  I told her I liked the purse so much that I thought I should keep it.  I was only joking.  Really. She didn't think it was funny...I probably deserved that.

Well, hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to sew I go.  I'm headed downstairs to stitch up a few more promises. 

XOXO,

Cassie

A Quick F.Y.I.

Jenny at Frazzy Dazzles is having her first ever give away.  Check out these little felt mice.  Leave a comment and they might be yours.  I think I am diminishing my chances of winning...aren't I?  Oh, well.  You really must  see these lovely mousekins.  Could Sugar and Barley be any cuter?

Cassie

Sneak Peek

First, I must apologize to those of you who read my last post before the final edit.  I had three comments before I realized I had published.  YIKES!  I forgot to save it as a draft.  Lucky for me, the post was in decent shape when I left it to rest a while (the post was resting, not me...LOL!).  The post was supposed to get a final read through to tame the rough spots and typos before I published it.  When I discovered my gaffe, I quickly tidied up the post and republished. All is well now.  Let's move on to a more exciting topic...

I've been doing  a lot of waiting lately.  That means doodle stitching!  Here's a peek at what I've been up to.

 

It's the first time I've stitched on linen.  I don't know if this is real linen or faux.  It is a Robert Kaufman that I picked up at Selvedge Studio.  Selvedge is the most fun and funky fabric store in town.  I love it in there.  I think I need to enforce an ONLY-SPEND-CASH rule when I go in.  Since I rarely have more than 15 dollars, it seems like a sensible thing to do.  It is so easy for me stop by for a quick peek, lose my mind, and blow my budget!  It is a dangerous place for me, I tell you, DAN-GER-OUS (but SOOO fun)!

I have a plan for this particular piece of stitching.  I get twitterpated just thinking about it!  If it goes as I hope, I will reveal the project upon it glorious completion...well, at least in my mind it's going to be glorious.  We'll see if I can pull it off!

Toodles,

Cassie